Hearts Leaps Schools, Bay Area, CA
Hearts Leap Schools are a project of ICRI established in 1990 and expanded in 2008 with Hearts Leap North, now in Kensington. We offer exemplary infant/toddler, preschool, and afterschool programs across multiple locations in Berkeley and Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area, with specific offerings varying by site. Our programs, deeply rooted in an emergent curriculum, are inspired by the Reggio approach, are child-directed, and adhere to developmentally appropriate practices. We are committed to creating a stimulating, exciting, creative educational environment.
Recognizing education as a lifelong journey influenced by children's interactions with all adults and peers they encounter, we shape our approach to foster a partnership between parents and educators. This collaboration ensures a positive and impactful experience for young children. Since its inception, our mission has been to provide a warm, secure, nurturing, and stimulating preschool environment, catering to the community's growing need for quality early childhood education.
Stanford University Children’s Centers, Stanford, CA
ICRI operates three early childhood centers on the Stanford University campus, serving approximately 400 infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children of university affiliates. These centers reflect ICRI's long-standing commitment to high-quality, relationship-based early childhood education. Each program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), meeting rigorous standards for health, safety, curriculum, and teacher qualifications.
Drawing inspiration from Reggio Emilia and other progressive educational philosophies, our classrooms are designed to support children's developmental needs and emphasize inquiry, exploration, and collaboration. Across all three centers, a strong sense of community, uplifting each child's voice, and a commitment to meaningful learning are at the heart of our work.
El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center, Richmond, CA
El Nuevo Mundo Children's Center is a vibrant bilingual Spanish-English preschool committed to high-quality early childhood education. As an ICRI program, El Nuevo Mundo provides invaluable California State Department of Education subsidies, uniquely creating the only private non-profit bilingual preschool serving low-income families in West Contra Costa county.
At El Nuevo Mundo, children from various backgrounds are nurtured to embrace their full potential, cultivating a rich, multicultural environment. Our curriculum, centered on playful and interactive learning, is meticulously crafted to enhance cognitive and linguistic skills, inspiring children to explore, grow, communicate, and create. This supportive setting is not just about learning—it's about experiencing joy in every discovery.
Family Daycare Support Network
Family Daycare Support Network (FDSN) champions the health and development of low-income children in Alameda County by providing access to nutritious meals. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), FDSN reimburses child daycare providers for preparing meals that meet USDA's nutrition standards for young children. This initiative ensures healthy food choices and supports our community's children's well-being.
In addition to financial assistance, FDSN offers hands-on training and support to daycare providers, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition in early childhood. Our team regularly visits daycare homes, sharing knowledge, healthy eating tips, and child-friendly recipes through our newsletters. This comprehensive approach benefits approximately 100 family daycare providers and ensures that nearly 950 low-income children in Alameda County receive nutritious meals daily at their daycare homes.